For the past 20 years, Home Instead has provided nearly 8,500 gifts to the Lexington community through the Be a Santa to a Senior Program. The program is back again, and Home Instead is taking in gifts and donations for the next month.
While it’s normal to see a Christmas tree with lightbulbs, large paper bulbs are part of the Be a Santa to a Senior program.
“So this year, we have a little over 400 bulbs with names and wish lists on it,” said Home Instead quality care consultant Whitney Villasana. “Then we’re also going to put together 215 stockings for one community.”
Jean Jackson, who has been in the program before, remembers one gift that meant the most: a flashlight.
“I’ve even written a story about the flashlight,” Jackson said, “how it shines the brightest on the darkest nights.”
“These are our elders. Giving back to them is heartfelt,” Villasana added.
While Be a Santa to a Senior is a national program, it continues to make an impact locally.
“We have really hard times, sometimes, and then when somebody comes along and offers us a hand, it means a lot more,” said Jackson.